Washington, DC – The Julian Bond Institute (JBI) today revealed the first members of its new Research Advisory Council, representing a range of educational institutions, community members and financial industry participants that will advise the institute on research selection, research design, and analysis of findings.
Including community perspectives and industry stakeholders in the institute’s research provides insights into the real-world impacts of financial products and policies, and encourages collaboration on solutions that enhance economic stability and wealth building opportunities for working people, the underserved and the American economy.
JBI research will help stakeholders better meet the evolving needs of racially, geographically, and financially diverse populations that too often are left out of efforts to address mainstream financial market needs. The council's JBI Fellows are external faculty who will conduct independent research aligned with the Institute's priorities or deepen collaboration and capacity-building opportunities for the research, outreach, and policy affiliates of the Institute.
“The Institute is honored that 20 highly regarded researchers and community members from across the nation have chosen to contribute to Bond’s vision to help create financial products and policies that support the economic well-being of the nation’s increasingly diverse population,” said Sara Weiss, executive director of the JBI.
The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) launched the Julian Bond Institute, the first new research entity in its history, in April to be a dynamic hub for community-inclusive research insights designed to create fairer financial products and policies. In addition to his accomplishments as a civil rights leader, community organizer, economic, environmental justice and human rights advocate and educator, Bond served as a member of the CRL board of directors from the organization’s founding in 2002 until his death in August 2015.
He championed creating a financial system that enhances economic stability and wealth-building opportunities for all communities – especially those that historically have been underserved – because he understood that doing so would strengthen not just neglected communities, but America’s economy.
The Institute’s research will focus on six areas that are key to financial security and wealth building:
- Managing everyday expenses
- Paying for higher education
- Housing affordability and ownership
- Expanding small business capital and credit
- The clean energy transition, and
- Using technology responsibly to expand financial inclusion.
“In these challenging times, it’s important to continue Bond’s mission to create a future-focused financial system that works for all Americans, including those whose financial security and investment needs have been ignored for generations,” said Weiss.
JBI Fellowship recipients:
- Luisa Blanco, JBI Fellow and Research Advisor, Pepperdine University
- Martin Mende, JBI Fellow, Arizona State University
- Maura Scott, JBI Fellow, Arizona State University
- Angelino Viceisza, JBI Fellow and Research Advisor, Spelman College
JBI Research Advisory Council:
- Fenaba R. Addo, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
- Ibijoke Akinbowale, District Native Partners
- Andrei Bartra, Capital One
- Chheng Sim Bun, National CAPACD
- Terri Friedline, University of Michigan
- Makada Henry-Nickie, JPMorganChase Institute
- Shannan Herbert, Washington Area Community Investment Fund
- Haydar Kurban, Howard University
- Ann Leland, Exodus Lending
- Carlos Monje Jr., JPMorganChase Policy Center
- Vanessa Perry, George Washington University
- Roberto Quercia, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
- Jessica Santos, Leah Zallman Center for Immigrant Health Research
- Elba Serrano, East LA Community Corporation
- David Silberman, Center for Responsible Lending
- Frederick “Fred” Wherry, Princeton University
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Press Contact: Alfred King alfred.king@responsiblelending.org